Drink More Bourbon recipe
Bourbon and Ginger
A simple, sparkling highball that pairs bourbon with crisp ginger ale and lime.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz ginger ale
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with fresh ice.
- Pour in the bourbon and top with ginger ale.
- Stir briefly and garnish with a lime wedge.
Best bourbon style
A versatile everyday bourbon in the 80- to 100-proof range works well in this uncomplicated highball.
Tips and substitutions
Use ginger beer instead of ginger ale for a spicier and less sweet variation.
About this cocktail
The Bourbon and Ginger is built for easy refreshment: warm vanilla, oak, and caramel notes from the bourbon meet the crisp sweetness and gentle spice of ginger ale. The lime wedge adds a bright citrus accent that keeps the drink from feeling too sweet, while the bubbles lift the bourbon rather than hiding it. Because the recipe is simple, the balance depends on using fresh ice, a lively mixer, and a bourbon you enjoy neat or on the rocks. It is a great low-effort highball for cookouts, game day, casual happy hour, or anytime you want a whiskey drink that feels lighter and more sparkling than an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. The drink is approachable for newer bourbon drinkers, but still satisfying for fans who like a straightforward pour with a little fizz and snap.
Choosing your bourbon
A versatile everyday bourbon in the 80- to 100-proof range works well because it has enough presence to stand up to ginger ale without making the drink overly hot. Lower-proof bourbons tend to make a softer, sweeter highball, while options closer to 100 proof bring more structure, oak, and spice. A traditional corn-forward bourbon emphasizes caramel and vanilla, which pairs naturally with ginger ale. A higher-rye mash bill can add peppery spice and a drier finish, especially helpful if your ginger ale is on the sweeter side. Wheated bourbon gives the drink a rounder, smoother profile with softer baking-spice notes.
Make it your own
Use ginger beer instead of ginger ale for a spicier and less sweet variation while keeping the same bourbon-and-ginger structure. For a brighter drink, squeeze the lime wedge over the glass before dropping it in. If you prefer a drier highball, use a very crisp ginger ale and add it gently so the bubbles stay lively. For a richer profile, choose a bourbon with deeper oak, brown sugar, or baking-spice notes. You can also adjust the pour slightly to taste after building the drink: a little more ginger ale makes it lighter and longer, while a touch less lets the bourbon lead.
Serving tips
A highball glass is ideal because it keeps the drink tall, cold, and well carbonated. Fill the glass completely with fresh ice before adding the bourbon; plenty of ice chills the drink quickly and slows over-dilution. Add the ginger ale last and stir only briefly so you do not knock out too much fizz. Chill the mixer beforehand for the best sparkle. For easy serving, set out glasses with ice and lime wedges, then pour each drink to order rather than batching with ginger ale in advance.
